Know that it's been a while since I've updated. I had hoped to put this up before Christmas but things got real hectic at work so left me with not that much free time &/or I was too exhausted to work on it. At the very least I was able to do so before the year ended. Disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 34
Trust

"This is the place?" Unable to get over what had happened, Naruto tried to find out more about the girl that he encountered earlier. What he got wasn't completely good as the people of the village clearly didn't care for the person. But what really caught his attention was that there was obvious hatred in their voice or faces as they talked about her.

Fortunately there was some good that came from it as they happen to say where her home was. However, the 'home' happened to be an abandoned complex that wasn't in the best of conditions. "Guess I should check it out." Naruto carefully made his way into the building and looked about. "Hello? Is there anybody here?" Although silence was returned, the feeling as though he was being watched didn't leave him. "I just came here to talk, nothing more."

Naruto had a feeling that someone was coming up from behind but before he could fully respond he was knocked down on the ground. He struggled for a bit but he ended up on his back with the girl holding him down. "Is this really necessary, Fū?"

The attempt to lighten the situation didn't really help but the mentioning of the name seemed to help somewhat as it caught her by surprise. "How do you know my name? Why are you even here anyways?"

"Mind getting off me first? Prefer to have this conversation standing if possible." With a bit of reluctance, Fū back away and allowed Naruto get up. "As for your questions, both were given when I asked around about you. It's clear that the people don't think too fondly of you."

That didn't seem to surprise Fū as she muttered something that couldn't be clearly made out. She started to walk further into the building and Naruto took that as an indication for him to follow. They came to a smaller room that had various objects scattered throughout and in a far corner was an old mattress. "Unique place you have here." He was trying to be as considerate as possible as to not sound offensive.

"It works for me. Got everything I need here." Fū knocked a few of the things scattered on the floor as she made her way around. "You've talked with the villagers. What did they have to say about me?"

"They said that you're nothing but trouble. Also you've been known for causing mischief all the time." Fū didn't try to dispute those claims. She actually seemed somewhat pleased by them. "Also, I don't believe they didn't mean to say it but I happen to hear a few of them saying something along the lines of 'her not even human'. Care to explain what they meant?" Fū showed no sign of answering. "Could it have something to do with you possibly having a biju inside of you?"

The shock was evident on Fū's face as she stared at Naruto. "How could you have possibly known that? Taki has done precautions to prevent that information from being known."

"Let's just say that I had a strong hunch. You're not the first person with a tailed beast that I've encountered." He preferred to keep what he knew as vague as possible. "Don't worry. I don't plan on telling anyone. I should tell you though that I'm least of your worries."

Suddenly the entire roof was blown away by some kind of explosion. It would be followed by several more. Both Naruto and Fū managed to get out before the building crumbled completely to the ground. "No. That was my home." Fū grieved.

"No need to mourn." exclaimed someone new. Standing not that far from them was two men. "You'll be coming with us shortly."

By their appearance, Naruto quickly identified them. "So you came. Guess you Akatsuki guys like to keep people on their toes." That throwaway remark didn't go unnoticed by the two individuals.

"How do you know about our organization?" inquired the taller of the two. Already he was reaching for the handbag strapped to his side.

"Let's just say I've got a vested interest in you guys." Releasing his genjutsu he revealed himself. "The name's Naruto Namikaze. Believe you've been after me."

"So the nine-tailed jinchuriki is here as well. This is an unexpected surprise." proclaimed the other that was crouched over. One thing that stood out was that some type of metal tail was dragging behind him.

"If you like surprises you'll like this." Like the earlier altercation, Naruto used a smoke bomb to cover the area.

"This is disappointing. Was hoping for a better showing then this." thought the tailed person. "Deidara, if you would please? Remember though, don't kill our prey."

"Take away the fun why don't you." Deidara reached into his handbag only to remove it moments later. Opening his palm it was revealed that there was a mouth in it that would open up to spit out bits of clay. It would be shaped into small spiders. He tossed them up where they exploded in the cloud of smoke. As it happened, Naruto escaped, with Fū right behind. Before they could get far they were slammed to the ground by the metal tail that the other person had.

"And you tell me to hold back. You practically broke them in two Sasori." complained Deidara. "I could've done it in the first place."

"If we used your method we would've only had pieces left." countered Sasori. "At least my way will keep them alive. Close to death but they should survive enough for us to get what we need from them." Any further praising was stopped when both jinchuriki disappeared in puffs of smoke. The revelation of being deceived annoyed Sasori. Deidara laughing didn't help. "Enough. Start searching. They couldn't have gone far."

00000000

"We should be safe here for a while." Just like before, Naruto had gotten the two of them away. Currently they were hiding out in a small cave not far from their pursuers. "Better move soon as we can. You ready?" When there wasn't any response he looked back and saw that Fū was giving him an apprehensive stare. "What is it?"

"Why?" she asked in a voice that was hard to hear. "Why didn't you say that you're like me?" Fū's anger was evident.

Naruto didn't need any confirmation on what his current companion was referring to. "I was going to reveal that but was interrupted before that could happen." he admitted guiltily.

Fū seemed to take little comfort in that reasoning. "And that makes you think that you can understand me? You know nothing." She started to make her way to the mouth of the cave. "Now get out of my way. I'm leaving." Before she could get far, Naruto blocked her path. "I'm warning you. Let me pass."

Not backing down, the blond gave her an unwavering stare. "I won't. Those guys are from a group called Akatsuki. Apparently they're after those with a demon inside them. They already got at least one of us." Fū didn't seem to be alarmed by the news. "Better take this seriously. Barely survived against one of them and he was just playing around with me. They'll do whatever they can to get you. That included attacking the village."

"Why should I care? You've seen how those people treat me and you're saying that I should protect them?"

Before Naruto could respond, a series of explosions occurred. From how they were being spread about they were merely done to lure them out. "We're running out of time." "That's exactly what I mean. Despite how they treated you, you still give a shit whether they live or die." Fū wanted to deny it but couldn't.

"So you suggest working together?" Even saying it was hard to accept.

"Simply put, yes." Already a plan was being formulated by Naruto. "But I need your help and for you to trust me."

00000000

"It would seem as though you decided to come out of hiding." Standing in front of Sasori was Naruto. The expression on his face didn't show any sign of what the blond might've been thinking. "Is the seven-tailed jinchuriki with you as well?"

"What's the point? You're partner doesn't really allow such things." Naruto shot back, purposely avoiding the other question. He continuously made sure where the other Akatsuki member was as they were hovering in the air on a clay bird.

"Yes, Deidara isn't known for being subtle." A retort was heard from on top the bird but it was mostly ignored. "Again, where's the Chōmei?"

"Not here. You'll be dealing with me." He was putting on a brave front but Naruto was worried. "Need to keep them stalled for a while longer."

"Now isn't this noble? Fighting us to allow your fellow jinchuriki to escape." praised Deidara with false sincerity. He had the clay bird hover above Sasori but stayed high enough to protect himself. "You're quite the anomaly. Previous hosts have been ostracized from everyone and do whatever possible to stay alive. Wasn't the last one captured a good example?"

"Indeed. He killed anyone he came across merely to prove his essence." That comment struck a chord for Naruto as he had a good idea who they were referring to. What was said only confirmed it. "Discovering that he died came as a surprise when I went to retrieve him. Fortunately there was chakra of the biju lingering within the body that extraction proved successful. Soon the nine-tails will be added."

Naruto quickly moved behind a thick tree for cover as from underneath Sasori's robe a gauntlet appeared that fired numerous needles. He didn't get away unscathed as one of the needles was stabbed into his left arm. Normally wouldn't be that big of a deal except that he felt his arm going numb.

"There's must be coated by some kind of poison." Even after removing the needle the numbness remained but was slowly fading. "Have to love quick healing. I can't keep hiding. Need to think of something." Suddenly Naruto couldn't help smirking.

"This cat and mouse game is getting annoying." complained Deidara. "Can't we just blow up the area? It'll save time."

"Not surprising. You've never been one to have much patience." Sasori's backhanded remark got the expected response as his partner started ranting but was ignored as Naruto came out into the open. "You've decided to give yourself up?"

"Actually, I've come to kill you." There was absolute certainty behind his declaration. "How hard can it be since you had to get a corpse?" That didn't sit well with Sasori as his tail whipped about behind him. Letting his anger blinding his reasoning he opened his mouth and fired more needles. Surprisingly the blond didn't try to move. Instead he closed his eyes.

Before any of them could pierce he moved but it was far faster than he could've possibly gone. When Naruto opened his eyes it was revealed that they had changed. They were now golden while the pupils became slanted. Along with it was that there was a dark orange highlighting around them.

"It worked. Better hurry when I can." With newfound speed Naruto shortened the distance with Sasori. He tried using his tail to attack the approaching blond but when it got close it was blocked and shattered by a simple kick. Taking advantage of the opening, Naruto create a Rasengan and drove it into Sasori.

Instead of blood and gore, the Akatsuki member exploded in wood, revealing that what had been fighting it was a puppet. The attack didn't stop there as it continued and damaged the puppet user that was within. When the Rasengan finally ended all that was left was the remains of a redheaded boy that was around Naruto's age with his chest completely destroyed.

"What the hell? You're a puppet as well?" Naruto wouldn't have time to think about it further as a feeling of nausea overcame him. He started to feel weaker and he believed that it wasn't completely due to what was making nausea. "Reached my limit already? Faster than I thought." Even in his condition he detected something coming.

Rolling to the side Naruto narrowly avoided being caught in an explosion. Looking up he stared at Deidara. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you're angry?"

"On the contrary, I'm pleased." Already the Akatsuki member was creating more bombs. "Sasori foolishly left his weakness as open as he did. Got to admit that was quite an interesting technique you used." With the latest patch of bombs prepared Deidara threw them up into the air and let them fall to the ground.

Fortunately Naruto to avoid getting killed but there were times that he couldn't always escape the blast of the explosions. "It would seem as though that technique has drawbacks. But to be safe, I'll stay up here while dealing with you. Rest of the group will get over Sasori's death and loss of the seven-tailed jinchuriki if you're brought in." Again Deidara started to create another bomb but this seemingly was going to be a more destructive.

Before it could happen though, a shadow came over him. Peering back the bomber saw Fū but with changes. She had drawn upon some of her biju's chakra to where it enveloped her with a chakra tail at the end. Additionally she had on her back what seemed like wings that she was using to fly.

"She used her demon's chakra to create a way to reach me." Deidara tried to defend himself but before he could Fū had gotten right in front of him and using her claw like hands she slashed at his chest, leaving a large gash there. At the same time the chakra tail struck out and decapitated the head of the clay bird that was keeping the Akatsuki member in the air. He tried to get away but his escape was prevented. "What are you doing? When this thing hits the ground it'll explode."

"And I bet it'll be strong enough that even you wouldn't survive it." The resumed struggling to escape was all the clarification that Fū needed. "Let's be sure though." She grabbed the bomb that had been created moments ago and actually jammed it into the open wound that Deidara had in his chest.

The Akatsuki member became even desperate to get to safety but couldn't. "Let go bitch. "We'll both die if you don't." Even with that Fū refused to let go.

"Not going to happen. You're going to be dealt with. If that means I go down with you then so be it." Using even more demon chakra she dug her claws into the blond bomber's body to make escape impossible.

With a final stream of curses from Deidara, the clay bird crashed to the ground, causing it to explode. It would cause the other bomb to go off, capturing both of them in the dual explosions. Even being a safe distance away, Naruto laid on the ground as the blast past over.

When it was over he came out of the sand that had blown on top of him and surveyed the damage. There was now a giant crater where it had to be a couple feet deep. Looking inside it and all around, there wasn't a trace of either Deidara or Fū.

Before anymore searching could be done, the sound of people coming was heard. Naruto feared that it was more Akatsuki members but to his relief they were just those from the village. Quickly using a genjutsu he disguised himself in his previous charade before they arrived.

The villagers were surprised by at the destruction that they came across. "So it's as we thought." voiced the same man that was encountered earlier. "Apparently the monster was fighting someone and they killed each other. Not much of a lost." There were murmurs and nods of agreement.

"Shut your mouths!" All attention was focused on Naruto who shook off the concern that he was getting and got to his feet. "You're just a bunch of ungrateful bastards. Who she fought was a wanted shinobi who would've killed all of you without a second thought. She saved you at the cost of her life and you're glad she gone? Sad to think that her death turned out to wasted." Even with being tired, Naruto walked off, not caring whether his words got through or not.

00000000

After leaving them, Naruto returned to the cave that was used earlier. He was looking around, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. From behind someone tried to sneak up on him. "Wondered whether you show up or not." announced the blond without turning around. When he did he gave them a smirk. "Would've thought you be far from here Fū." In front of the Namikaze was the thought to be dead seven-tailed host.

"Thought did cross my mind." admitted Fū as she made her way into the cave. "With you being here it's safe to assume that they were dealt with. Nice technique you used back there."

"It was my first time actually using it." Naruto decided to keep quiet about the time limit issue.

"You didn't do so bad yourself. Good thing you have better control using your biju's chakra."

"Chōmei and I came to an understanding long ago. Still wouldn't have saved me from that explosion if you didn't replace me with one of your clones at the last moment."

"I told you my plan would work." All the praising ended as important stuff had to be brought up. "Are you sure that you want to go through with this? The village thinks you're dead but maybe they'll come around. Is there anything that would make you reconsider?"

"There was." Fū admitted. "My grandpa, not sure if we were actually related. He raised me when I was younger and didn't let me get away with anything. He was the only one that didn't treat me different because of what I have inside of me." Naruto couldn't help but notice that she was using a lot of pat tense when talking.

"He died a few years ago. Ever since then things haven't gotten better." The retelling of her history must've gotten to Fū somewhat as she became somewhat somber. She shook it off and put up a slight smile. "This'll give me a chance to start over somewhere else. I wouldn't mind company."

Recognizing what was being offered, Naruto shook his head. "Sorry but I have to decline. There are people I got back home that I care for and couldn't run out on them. But if you need help look me up." Fū seemed somewhat disappointed by the decision but gave an understanding nod. Soon she left for who knows where, leaving Naruto alone in the cave.

"So there you are." The blond turned around and saw Fukasaku. "Did you forget that you were supposed to return hours ago?" Clearly the toad wasn't happy and how he was holding his staff tightly was further proof. "Fortunately I was able to summon myself here to collect you. Care to explain why you didn't return when you were meant to?"

"Well…" Briefly Naruto thought about explaining what happen but decided against it. "Guess I just forgot."

Fukasaku just stared at him for a while, saying nothing. Then all of sudden he whacked the boy in the head with his staff. "Let's return now. We'll discuss this further later." Figuring that his head was in for more smacks, Naruto simply bowed his head. Unseen by the toad was the small smile that came over the boy's face.

And there goes the end of this little mini arc. Was nice to do this as it helped to continue the issues with the Akatsuki and featuring Naruto interacting with another jinchuriki. As what's to come in the future chapters, I'm going to do some that focuses on some of the other characters before returning to the "main story".

Again, sorry for the somewhat inconsistent updating. Until then, which I hope won't be that long, see ya.